Are mandatory flu shots fair?

I think it’s safe to say that nobody wants the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health professionals strongly recommend getting the annual vaccine as the best preventative measure for preventing the spread of the flu.

But what about the people who don’t want to get the vaccine?

Some employers, particularly those in the health care industry, require their employees get the annual vaccine. Or else — usually those in health care who refuse to get the shot are required to wear a mask, or risk their jobs.

“The Workers’ argument: They have medical or religious reasons or doubt the effectiveness of the vaccine. The employers’ response: They have a responsibility to protect the health of patients and co-workers who need to stay healthy.”
—USA Today

The CDC reports findings that vaccines among the health care work force help reduce patient fatalities and aims to have 90 percent compliance for health care workers by 2020.

The Department of Health also reports that a normal flu season costs about $10 billion. This year’s outbreak is expected to be higher with so many people cashing in their sick days.

Health care workers have a responsibility to protect their patients, but they also lead their own lives outside of work and need to be okay with their decisions even after they’ve clocked out.

About this blog

Gary Haber

Brett Sholtis

If you're looking for the latest news, commentary and money-saving tips from the business scene in York County, you've come to the right place. York Common Cents is the sounding board for the biz staff and those interested in money at the York Daily Record/ Sunday News.